The mild spring day was coming to a close. It had been a long day, with the herd in migration; yet pleasant, since the summer heat had yet to come to this region of the soquili lands. Green buds were out and flowers starting to bloom, covering the large deciduous forest where the herd had walked. The scent of flowers had been heavy throughout the forest, masking the smell of predators and prey alike. Yet, Xanti, Neffy and Rhenn had managed to corner a young deer to feed the carnivores in the herd. The plant-eaters of the herd stopped to nibble on all the lush new foliage throughout the day causing the group to move at a slower pace than usual. All in all, it had been a fair day with full bellies all around. The lookouts of the group had spotted a resting place for the night; a small field in the forest with relatively low grasses.
Xanti stood stock still, head high, scenting the air. His pupil-less eyes scanned the clearing quickly before he set off to do a perimeter of the space. He had been leading the herd, the large protector in front to ward off enemies first. The other protectors; Neffy, Mordecai and Rhenn formed a diamond around the core group of mini's. His ear twitched back to the sound of first of the others stepping out of the forest and into the field. He continued his circuit.
Kezia had been racing his brother Vesia and Arkifex through the forest. As with nymph nature, bounding through, around and over objects was one of his favorite things to do. And today he was doing wonderfully. He'd never achieve the ground-eating pace that Xanti kept, but he was definitely pulling away from his competitors. As he burst through the last of the underbrush and out into the grasses of the clearing, his sing-song exclamation of victory echo'd around the area. "I win!"
Xanti's ear flicked back towards Kezia and a low rumble came from his chest. He was not pleased with the nymphicorn's noise.
Kezia ignored Xanti and turned to see his two competitors bound into the clearing
"Second!" Vesia's chimed as he raced in, shoulder to shoulder with Arkifex.
"Not true! A tie you scoundrel!" Arkifex was barely winded, and she nimbly turned to face the nymphicorn twins. She gave them both a stern look. "Don't you back him up Kezia, you saw, a tie!"
"Wellllll, he did -"
"Incredible, Incorrigible! Such -!" Arkifex turned her back on them and, with a huff, headed further out into the clearing. She was clearly fuming at the pair of them, but wouldn't waste words on them. This was obviously not the first time this scenario had happened.
Kezia shared a grin with his brother. Partners in mischief.
It was a few more minutes before the core of the group arrived into the clearing. The swish, swish signaled their arrival as Malice's tail dragged across the forest floor. A low murmur of whisper floated through the air as Drith discussed something with her one mate quietly. The pair was flanked by Whisk, who, although easily distracted by her surroundings, continually checked on Drith's whereabouts. Following the Piximp was the others; Anomaly and Mero walking side by side, with Curiosity alighted on her bonded's back; Meowth and Laurel; Naimh, Blythe, Teague and Spokes; and pulling up the rear was Rushlight, Loathe and Inequity followed a few paces behind by Sloane. The other guards had not yet come in, which was normal after a day of traveling.
As they reached the clearing, Malice lifted his gaze from Drith and met the fiery gaze of Xanti across the clearing. He calmly returned the stallions stare before dipping his headed in a nod. He watched as the hound resumed scouting, unperturbed, before moving further into the short lush grasses of the clearing. Malice moved to Arkifex's location, stopping next to her.
Malice's silent presence calmed down the mare. Even though no words were said, the stallion's demeanor had a way of easing the minds of most herd members. She slid him a sideways glance before letting out a sigh of tension and giving him a small smile. "Thanks." A tug on her leg took her attention away from the half-imp.
"What are you saying to my beloved, Malice? You aren't trying to charm her away from me are you?" The words were lighthearted but there was an undercurrent of true possessiveness behind them. Inequity eyes narrowed as her tail wrapped around her mate.
Malice raised an eyebrow and turned to the cat. He gazed into her eyes for a moment, searching, before walking further out into the clearing.
Inequity shivered. "Ick, it's like he can see your soul. What were you to talking about?" Her tone softened now that it was just her an Arki and her tail loosened up its hold.
Arkifex blushed prettily. "Nothing, I was just angry with the twins is all..." She laughed under her breath. "I'm fine now though. He's a bit, hrmm, otherworldly I suppose." She followed Malice with her gaze for a few moments before returning her attention to Inequity with a small frown. "No need to worry, I won't be spirited away that easily"
"You too, hey Arki?" Rushlight's voice was crisp as he broke into the mare's conversation. "She was doing the same to me earlier." Happiness colored the stallion's words. He was quite content to have been the target of the cat's greed despite his words. "What was the old man here for?" He jerked his head in Malice's direction.
'Ummm..." Put on the spot, Arkifex looked guiltily away. "It was nothing."
Rushlight stared at his mates for all of two seconds before swiveling on his hooves. "Sloane!"
Sloane slewed around towards his son, eyes wide in alarm. Anomaly, Curiosity and Mero surrounded the minicorn healer and blinked at the urgency of Rush's shout. "Excuse me" Sloane gruffly said as he walked hurriedly towards his son, expecting some kind of injury.
Vesia had also turned to the sound of Rush's shout. He cast a worried look to his brother before scampering over to the group. Arriving just as Sloane did.
Rushlight cast a furious glance at Vesia before addressing Sloane. " You! You are supposed to be keeping an eye on him and once again he is here tormenting my mate!! How many times is this now? We will LEAVE this herd if this keeps up!"
Sloane cast scornful look at his mate. "Keep. it. up." He then cast an eye over their son. "And don't yell like that unless something is truly wrong. You know better as well." With a huff of disappointment at the lot of them, he turned back to previous companions.
Vesia grinned sheepishly at the lot of them before sketching a bow. "Apologies Arki, we meant no lasting harm." He never promised that it wouldn't happen again, for all of them knew that would be a lie.
Arkifex cast a look at her mate's father; ut knwoing
